Today
- Analysis
- Federal budget
Chalmers and Dutton put their economic credibility on the line
Chalmers has made a big, bold gamble on inflation, risking the living standards of millions, while Dutton’s rhetoric is bigger than the reality on immigration.
- 1 hr ago
- John Kehoe
Albanese and Dutton fight on the home front for voters
With the countdown now on to the election, both sides have used budget week to stake out their territory and target the voters they need to win.
- Andrew Tillett
Yesterday
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
This budget sees the return of government as saviour
Two decades ago, Australia was poised to shed the hard-done-by battler mindset. Now it is more entrenched than ever.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- Property market
The big fail in Australia’s housing
The Albanese government’s promises of 1.2 million homes over five years are now in the realm of political fantasy, despite the billions of dollars it has pledged for housing.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Australia’s new course is to be managed decline
The budget is our politics writ small: too lacking in confidence and optimism to seek out new growth.
- John Roskam
- Opinion
- Federal budget
It’s right for Australia to join the critical minerals subsidy rush
The scepticism about government interventions is understandable. But this time, they are creating new industries of immense value.
- Warren Pearce
This Month
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Chalmers confronts his economic critics
The treasurer insists his budget gets the balance right, even if the economists don’t agree. What will the Reserve Bank and the voters think?
- Updated
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Chalmers’ budget boast overlooks Australia’s debt mountain
The substantial fiscal challenge from the budget is a forecast decade of deficits and highest plateau of federal government net debt for more than half a century.
- The AFR View
Dutton rejects ‘Rich Lister’ tax cuts
The opposition has blasted $27.8 billion in production credits in the budget as “tax cuts for billionaires”, vowing to repeal them if elected.
- Phillip Coorey and Brad Thompson
Careful return to migration trends needed, Labor urged
Efforts to better manage immigration levels must not undercut the university sector and efforts to address skilled worker shortages across the economy, experts say.
- Tom McIlroy
‘Dangerous’ to rely on key budget number given $80b spending splurge
More than $80 billion of under-the-radar spending on initiatives such as Snowy Hydro, NBN and clean energy undermines budget deficit forecasts, Saul Eslake says.
- John Kehoe
Investors welcome Chalmers’ new ‘front door’ service (with caveats)
Big investors want to be consulted as the proposal for an investment concierge moves from budget papers into reality.
- John Kehoe
Liontown’s Tim Goyder turns up to thank Jim Chalmers
Heavy hitters wary of party political functions have grown fond of the National Press Club’s Great Hall lunch.
- Myriam Robin
Treasury debunks Albanese’s solar and battery push
Treasury says there is a “strong case” for green hydrogen and green metals have “significant potential”. Making solar panels and batteries is another story.
- Ronald Mizen
A little bird delivers record price for photographer
A bird in the hand might be worth two in the bush, but Petrina Hicks’ photo of a budgie in a girl’s mouth was worth plenty on an otherwise disappointing night.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
Holiday home owners to get $600 in power bill discounts
Holiday and second home owners will receive multiple $300 energy bill credits, after the government says all households would automatically receive the benefit.
- Updated
- John Kehoe and Elouise Fowler
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Chalmers is telling a big budget fib
Treasurer Jim Chalmers stood in front of 600 guests at his post-budget speech in Parliament House on Wednesday and repeated a misleading number about spending.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Why Chalmers’ budget made me very grumpy
I’m feeling as grumpy as I appear in my headshot. That’s because the big ask of the budget was not to poke the inflationary bear. It didn’t pass that test.
- Chris Richardson
WA GST deal to cost federal taxpayers $53b and rising: budget
The deal will cost $44 billion more than originally promised, but neither side of politics dares change it for fear of losing seats in the west.
- Phillip Coorey
Wages growth slows; Miners hail budget tax credits; BHP’s new pitch
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
